Traditional Transition: Pastor Ghandi Laoye Takes the Helm in Ogbomoso.

Traditional Transition: Pastor Ghandi Laoye Takes the Helm in Ogbomoso.

A former pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Prince Afolabi Ghandi Laoye, on Friday, was installed as the new Soun of Ogbomosoland in Oyo State.

Recall that Laoye, who was based in the United States of America, arrived in Ogbomoso early in the morning in a private chopper, which landed at Ogbomoso Grammar School, before moving to the palace.

It will be also be recalled that the Soun of Ogbomoso stool became vacant after Oba Jimoh Oyewumi transited to the great beyond, on December 12, 2021.

However, some members of the family opposed the approval, thereby heading to court, arguing that he was not part of the process right from the beginning and that he shouldn’t be crowned against their wish.

The family members instituted the suit, marked HOG/27/2022, in July 2022, against the nomination of Ghandi Olaoye by the kingmakers, citing various irregularities in the procedures that produced him thereby praying the court to, among other reliefs, set aside the nomination and to order a fresh process.

The judge, A.K. Adedokun, fixed the judgement day after Olaoye’s counsel, Oladapo Atanda, and Kolawole Fatoye, who represented Ghandi and the kingmakers adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the suit.

The defendants in the case include the Oyo State Governor, Oyo State Attorney General, Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ogbomoso North Local Government, Ogbomoso North Traditional Council, and Prince Amos Olawole Olaoye (Mogaji Olaoye Ruling House) who are 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

The 7th to 11th defendants are the kingmakers: Chief S.O. Otolorin (Areago of Ogbomoso and Chairman), Chief Salawu Ajadi (Jagun), Chief Tijani Abioye (Bara), Cheif David Adeniran Ojo (Ikolaba) and Chief Yusuf Oladipupo (Abese) while Prince Ghandi Olaoye, the Soun nominee, is the 12th defendant.

The plaintiff, while claiming that the regulations guiding the nomination to fill the vacant stool of Soun Chieftaincy Ogbomoso which include the Soun Chieftaincy Declaration (1958), Ogbomoso District Native Authority Resolution (1953) and Oyo State Chiefs Law (2000) were grossly violated, sought relief that the procedure for Ghandi’s nomination was inconclusive in that a minority committee performed the task instead of the whole members of the family.

“A declaration that the procedure adopted for the nomination of candidate or candidates to fill the vacant stool of Soun of Ogbomoso Chieftaincy by the members of Laoye Ruling House through the purported 11-member screening committee was inconclusive.

“The member of the Olaoye ruling house as a family was denied their legal right of having a final say in voting and/or ratifying the aforesaid report at the time the kingmakers acted upon it, not strictly the method envisaged under the native law and custom, the Laoye ruling house as a body entitled to nominate a candidate for appointment to the stool of Soun and not by the minority of the members of the larger body.”

He wanted the court to declare that the active participation of the 4th defendant (Ogbomoso North Local Government) in the process leading to the emergence of Ghandi Olaoye rather than being a mere observer invalidates the process.

The claimant, therefore, sought orders of the court to set aside the nomination of Ghandi, noting the procedure that produces him contravenes native law and custom for the selection of a candidate for selection of a new Soun.

In addition, the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 12th defendants represented by Kolawole Fatoye, Olalekan Oguntoye and O.E. Igene filed counter-claims to which the claimant also filed defence.

The legal team of 7th to 10th defendants which also represented Ghandi, urged the court to “dismiss the claim and grant the counterclaim” noting that “all the procedure as itemized above clearly showed that the 12th defendant was duly nominated by the Laoye ruling house and selected by the kingmakers.”

It asserted that the plaintiff filed “this action because the selection did not favour him having participated along with others in the nomination and selection exercise.”

The judge, Adedokun, therefore, fixed October 3 for the judgement.

On Saturday, September 2, however, the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, had in a statement by his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, approved the selection of Olaoye as the next Soun.

Again, on Thursday, the state High Court in Ogbomoso restrained the governor, the Attorney General of the State and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters either by themselves, agents, or officials from presenting any instrument of office in any form of ceremony or issuance of the certificate of installation to Olaoye until the final determination of the mandatory injunction already filed before the court.

However, the new monarch was at the palace, on Friday, for an official installation which was performed at Abata by the kingmakers led by the Areago High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin.

The kingmakers said they did not receive any court injunction restraining them from installing Ghandi as the new Soun of Ogbomoso.

He is billed to commence the traditional rites soon.

The new Oba is proclaimed His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III.

Throne Abdication: Ekiti Govt Restores Traditional Ruler, Pacifies Angry Chiefs.

Throne Abdication: Ekiti Govt Restores Traditional Ruler, Pacifies Angry Chiefs.

The Ekiti State Government, yesterday restored the embattled  Obasaoye of Isaoye, Moba  Local Government Area of the state, Oba Damilare Olajide Gabriel back to the throne after tendering apology to his Chiefs, who were miffed by his alleged abdication of his royal seat.

The monarch had been having a running battle with his chiefs, since 2018, for allegedly taking step to exterminate all traditional festivals in the community, which prompted the chiefs to angrily begin a process of deposing  him and install a successor. 

The monarch in the heat of the crisis, had abdicated the throne and stood his ground not to participate in  worshipping of deities on the strength of his religious belief. 

The matter was resolved in Ado Ekiti ,on Thursday, by the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, during a peace parley with the two factions to resolve the lingering crisis.

Mrs Afuye, in a statement by his Media Aide, Victor Ogunje, described as inappropriate, a statement allegedly made by Oba Gabriel at a peace meeting held  on Tuesday, 11th February, 2020, that he won't participate personally and financially in any traditional festival.

Based on his pledge to change and partake in all traditional activities being held by the community, Mrs Afuye pleaded with the Chiefs to allow the monarch to return, saying this remains the best way to foster peace and development in Isaoye.

Mrs Afuye also directed the embattled monarch to sign a document that would lend credence to his readiness to support all traditional festivals based on the request of his subjects to resolve the matter permanently.

"The government will watch our Kabiyesi  for six months before realeasing his outstanding salaries to him . If he doesn't cooperate with the town, then we can begin a process of deposition, but I know that things will not get to this level. Please, give him this second  chance.

"The monarchs are the custodians of our culture and tradition . The essence of being a monarch is to be leader of all religions, particularly the  traditional one. You can't be a king and be working against your subjects'  wishes and interests, you must cooperate with them.

"If you are removed from this throne, it will affect your lineage. Try and mend fences by cooperating with your chiefs to celebrate your culture and  tradition".

While apologising to his Chiefs, the monarch promised to sign a document compiled by his chiefs indicating his readiness to embrace tradition.

"Let me also appeal that they should forgive all my past mistakes and cooperate with me to move the town forward. As a sitting Obasaoye, I have a date with history and I don't want anything that will affect my lineage in the future.

"I am ready to cooperate with you by doing all your requests. I also thank the state government for intervening severally in this matter". 

The Obaisa of Isaoye and second in command, Chief Joseph Ogidi, said the town had no issue with the monarch other than for him to rescind his decision to obliterate all traditional deities in the town.

Ogidi promised that the Chiefs and the  town will be ready to cooperate with the monarch if he softpedals on his earlier hard posture and demonstrate his readiness to abide by their demands.

Ekiti First Lady Condemns Killing Of FUOYE Student.

Ekiti First Lady Condemns Killing Of FUOYE Student.

.....Demands justice for the deceased.

The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has condemned the killing of a female student of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Miss Deborah Modupe Atanda in strong terms. 

The First Lady expressed her profound sorrow upon learning about the tragic killing of Deborah, a 200 Level student of the Department of Nursing at FUOYE, empathizing with the family of the deceased and the university community who are mourning the loss of a promising student.

Dr. Oyebanji conveyed her shock and heartbreak upon receiving the news of the student's untimely demise. She described the killing as an act of sheer wickedness, shocking in its brutality, heartrending to the core, and absolutely condemnable. 

According to her, such act of violence has no place in a civilized academic community where future leaders are nurtured.

She emphasized that a university should serve as an environment for academic pursuits and the exchange of ideas, and it should never become a site of tragedy where the destinies of the next generation of leaders are cut short.

As a mother herself, Dr. Oyebanji shared the agonizing pain of losing such a daughter with a promising and bright future. She acknowledged that only the grace of Almighty God can provide solace to heal the broken hearts of the grieving family.

Dr. Oyebanji extended her heartfelt condolences to the parents of the slain student, praying that God would grant them the strength and fortitude to bear the immense loss of their precious daughter.

The Ekiti First Lady pleaded that every possible human effort should be exerted by the security operatives to identify and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice in honour of Deborah's memory.

Signed:

Odunayo Ogunmola

Senior Special Assistant (Media)

Office of the Wife of the Governor

8th September, 2023

Rotary Club Honours Ekiti First Lady For Assisting Less Privileged.

Rotary Club Honours Ekiti First Lady For Assisting Less Privileged.

Recognition and honour has come the way of the Wife of the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, for the support, assistance and succour she is giving to the less privileged in the state.

Dr. Oyebanji was on Thursday inducted as a Honorary Rotarian by executive members of the Rotary Club of Ado Ekiti (2023-2024) for championing the cause of the vulnerable people in the state and also using her office to render humanitarian services.

The induction was performed in her office during a courtesy visit by the Rotarians who hailed the Ekiti First Lady for facilitating payment of hospital bills of indigent patients, running a Food Bank for the elderly, giving succour to widows and orphans, among other humanitarian gestures to the needy in the state since her assumption of office.

Dr. Oyebanji, who was delighted to receive the honorary badge and the plaque, hailed Rotary Club for what it is doing for humanity expressing her readiness to always partner with the Club in the fulfillment of its mission to always reach out to the vulnerable segment of the populace.

The First Lady who said her office and Rotary share similar ideals and philosophy said she is fully subscribed to the programmes outlined by the 2023-2024 executive of the Club targeted at groups like the elderly, pupils of primary schools, students of secondary school and tertiary institutions during the tenure.

She said: "I appreciate what you are doing for humanity. The Rotary Club is well noted for fantastic, amazing humanitarian services in the society and everybody is familiar with what you are doing. My office is to complement whatever my husband is doing at my own level, particularly for children, women, and the vulnerable .

"It is the right thing for me to be opened to some of these programmes and to also look for an area of collaboration so that we can always give back to the society.

"We have the same focus which is basically to bend backward to the less privileged in the society. Whatever you are doing, you are complementing what Mr. Governor is doing. It's about our people and I want to wish you an outstanding success on this journey."

Earlier in his remarks, the President, Rotary Club of Ado Ekiti (2023-2024), Mr. Akinwale Olasusi, explained that humanitarian services being rendered by the Club are geared towards ensuring that the wellbeing of the less privileged is catered for.

Rotarian Olasusi said the Club recognized Ekiti First Lady's pivotal position in championing the cause of the less privileged informed the move to seek her partnership and support for some of the projects and programmes already lined up by his executive for execution.

According to him, the Ado Ekiti Rotary Club under his leadership will soon launch its Sight Intervention Programme to conduct eye screening for 500 adults from 60 years and above while eyeglasses will be provided for 100 of the number and 50 of them are to be booked for surgery.

The Sight Intervention Programme, he said, was conceived because of the prevalence of eye problems among the elderly noting that it was aimed at giving the senior citizens succour and help in retaining their sight.

Rotarian Olasusi also unveiled the Club's intent to organize and bankroll an Essay Competition for secondary students in the state on Drug Abuse with winners to go for a further oral interview before champions emerge.

He further disclosed that the Club will equally organize a Drug Summit mainly students in secondary schools and tertiary institutions in the state to be done in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to curb the menace of drug abuse among students and youths.

The Rotary chief also canvassed the support of the First Lady for the Club's Library Outreach programme to be done in collaboration with Ekiti State Library Services to stimulate reading culture to sustain Ekiti's reputation as the intellectual powerhouse of the nation.

He urged the First Lady to support the Club morally and financially to ensure the success of the programmes in the state.

Ekiti Assembly Summons Security Chief's, FUOYE Boss Over Kidnappings, Student's Murder.

Ekiti Assembly Summons Security Chief's, FUOYE Boss Over Kidnappings, Student's Murder.

In Pic: Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker. 

The Ekiti State House of Assembly has invited all heads of security agencies in the state to brief the lawmakers on some security breaches recently witnessed in some parts of the state.

The security chiefs are expected to appear before a Joint Committee of the House on Monday, 11th September at 10am with a view to address the incidences of kidnapping which led to the death of a resident and abduction of five others.

The invitation of the heads of security agencies was one of the three Resolutions passed by the Assembly at its plenary on Thursday after the lawmakers expressed concern on the security situation of the state under Matters of Urgent Public Importance.

The House at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, also invited the management of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti to appear before the Committee on Education to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the murder of a 200 Level Nursing student, Modupe Atanda.

The State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was also summoned to appear before the House for an interactive session on the alleged brutality and dehumanization meter out by some officers of the Corps on civilians recently.

The Assembly Minority Leader and member representing Ekiti East Constituency 1, Hon. Oladele Ogunsakin, who deplored the alleged brutality of some officers of security agencies also expressed dismay that some federal roads in the state have become death traps and aiding criminal activities.

The lawmaker representing Ise/Orun Constituency, Hon. Babatunde Omotayo, expressed sadness that four members of Itapaji Ekiti community were recently kidnapped after a kidnaping incident occurred in the town a week earlier leasing to the death of one person.

He said the Assembly must do something urgently on the security situation of the state stressing that there was need to summon the state Commissioner or Police and heads of sister security agencies to hear from them what they are doing to remedy the situation and save law-abiding people.

He suggested the establishment of a homegrown security outfit in which officers will be posted to their local government areas of origin while a reliable database should be created for that purpose.

The lawmaker representing Oye Constituency 1, Hon. Temitope Longe, drew the attention of the Assembly to the killing of FUOYE Nursing student, Miss Atanda, who had been missing on the campus since Monday only for her corpse to be found in a shallow grave with her eyes gouged out.

Hon. Longe explained that kidnapping, banditry and cultism had reduced to the barest minimum since the ascension to office of Governor Biodun Oyebanji  saying everything possible should be done to nip criminality in the bud in the state.

He suggested that the Ekiti Commissioner of Police, Director of Department of State Services, FUOYE Vice Chancellor and Chief Security Officer should be invited on what the authorities of the university are doing to unmask the killers of the female student and prevent a reoccurrence.

The lawmaker representing Ijero Constituency, Hon. Ademola Ojo, argued that security agencies must be alive to their responsibilities in the state more than ever before recalling his experience as a survivor of the collapse of an Event Centre in his constituency last Saturday.

The lawmaker representing Oye Constituency 2, Hon. Idowu Odebunmi, said the FUOYE incident should be used as a signal to curb similar future occurrences urging the House to extend invitations to Vice Chancellors of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti; Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti and the Rector of Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan Ekiti to know the security situations on their campuses.

He advocated the installation of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras on the internal roads at FUOYE and the conduct of an autopsy on the remains of the slain student to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding her gruesome killing.

The lawmaker representing Ikere Constituency 1, Hon. Babatunde Oke, deplored the alleged of NSCDC operatives in some parts of the state informing his colleagues that officers of the agency attacked a lady in his constituency and stripped her naked with the video of the incident trending on various social media platforms.

He stressed that it was high time the alleged excesses of the NSCDC officer were curbed to prevent reoccurrence of ENDSARS protest while advising security officers to be more civil in effecting arrests.

Before putting resolutions on the issues to vote, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aribasoye, said the issues for debate on security matters called for sober reflection urging the executive arm to rise to the occasion on security of lives and property.

The Speaker noted that Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that government should protect the lives and property of its citizens.

He put the resolutions to voice vote which was passed after the lawmakers expressed their support for the resolutions.

Also at the plenary, the lawmaker representing Emure Constituency, Hon. Maryam Ogunlade, moved a motion on the need to provide breastfeeding facilities in public places for working parents in Ekiti State. The motion was seconded by the lawmaker representing Efon Constituency, Hon. Bosede Olowookere.

Hon. Ogunlade in her lead debate noted that the motion explores the importance of enabling breastfeeding for all working parents and highlights strategies to create a supportive environment for same in workplaces.

The another motion moved at the plenary was the one calling for the need to engage in Palm Cultivation to generate employment and boost revenue in Ekiti State. It was moved by the lawmaker representing Moba Constituency 2, Hon. Jacob Awoniyi and seconded by his counterpart from Ekiti South West Constituency 1, Hon. Anthony Adaramodu

Earlier at the sitting, two Bills passed the First Reading after being read for the first time by the Clerk of the House, Mr. Tola Esan.

The first was a Bill for Law to repeal Ekiti State Environmental Protection Agency Law 2009 and to re-enact the Ekiti State Environmental Protection and Watershed Management Agency Law 2023 and other matters connected therewith.

The second was Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (Amendment) Bill 2023.

The House adjourned sine die (to an indefinite date) after exhausting all the items for the day's business on the Order Paper.

Osun Poly Campus Witnesses Drama as Two Rectors Resume Duty.

Osun Poly Campus Witnesses Drama as Two Rectors Resume Duty.

......Government Orders Closure and Freezes Institution’s Accounts.

The Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, found itself embroiled in a dramatic situation on Thursday as two individuals, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo and Mr. Kehinde Alabi, resumed their duties as Rectors of the institution, escalating the ongoing administrative crisis.

This turmoil has its roots in the suspension of Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo on July 11, 2023, by the state government, amid allegations of fund misappropriation. In his place, Mr. Kehinde Alabi was appointed as the Acting Rector, further deepening the rift within the institution.

However, Dr. Odetayo, determined to regain his position, took legal action. On August 21, 2023, he approached the Industrial Court with an order of interim injunction to restrain the state government from acting on his suspension and other related matters. Justice O. A Ogunbowale granted the order, halting any actions against Dr. Odetayo pending the resolution of the legal dispute.

The tension reached its peak on Thursday when both Dr. Odetayo and Mr. Alabi returned to the campus. Dr. Odetayo presented the court order to the Chief Security Officer, then proceeded to the Rector's office, escorted by a faction of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) that supported him.

Simultaneously, Mr. Alabi and his ASUP faction gathered in a hall within the campus. In a statement issued by Mr. Alabi, he urged students and staff to remain calm, assuring them that the government was working to restore peace to the campus.

In a surprising turn of events, the Osun State government announced the closure of the State Polytechnic, Iree, for a period of two weeks. Additionally, the government froze the institution's accounts with immediate effect. This decision came in response to the resumption of Dr. Odetayo, who had secured an interim injunction to suspend the execution of his suspension while his legal case unfolds.

The Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole, made this announcement through an official statement. The closure and account freeze signify the government's stance on the ongoing administrative discord and its commitment to resolving the matter comprehensively.

The Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, now stands at a crossroads, with a legal battle and government intervention looming large. The students and staff, caught in the midst of this crisis, can only hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to bring stability back to their educational institution.

Atiku Abubakar Vows to Pursue Supreme Court Challenge for Electoral Justice.

Atiku Abubakar Vows to Pursue Supreme Court Challenge for Electoral Justice.

The Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a strong advocate for fair and credible elections, has announced his intention to challenge the recent judgement of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal at the Supreme Court. The tribunal had affirmed the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25, 2023, presidential election.

Speaking at a world press conference held at the Peoples Democratic Party headquarters in Abuja, Atiku expressed his unwavering commitment to ensuring a transparent electoral process in Nigeria. He emphasized the importance of elections that truly reflect the will of the electorate, devoid of manipulations.

Atiku acknowledged the tribunal's decision but stated, "I refused to accept the judgement because I believe it is bereft of substantial justice." Despite his disagreement with the outcome, he maintained his faith in the judiciary, stating that the tribunal judgement would not diminish his confidence in the legal system.

He further declared, "Consequently, I have asked my lawyers to activate my constitutionally guaranteed rights of appeal to the higher court, which in this instance, is the Supreme Court of Nigeria."

Atiku, who came second in the presidential race, believes that his efforts to ensure credible elections in Nigeria will serve as a lasting legacy for future generations. He was joined by his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, in rejecting the tribunal's decision.

The tribunal's verdict, delivered by Chairman Justice Haruna Tsammani and his fellow panel members, upheld Tinubu's electoral victory. Despite this setback, Atiku's determination to uphold the principles of democracy remains unwavering as he takes his case to the Supreme Court.